United Way revamping web site, expanding into digital donations

Published: Monday, July 28, 2014 at 06:06 PM.

The United Way of Alamance County is revamping its digital outreach to target new donors and help spread its mission, goals and successes.

“At the very basic level, we are kicking off a new website,” said Barrett Thompson, United Way’s Director of Resource Development. “It is going to have a good look, fresh and a little bit more simplified.”

The redesigned website will launch Aug. 6 at www.uwalamance.org, and will feature new opportunities for campaign supporters and donors, she said.

“Any company hosting a campaign can now host it exclusively online,” Thompson said. “Meaning each company can have its own website, and we can set up a widget (an embeddable web tool) to set up their fundraising tool.”

The digital retooling also includes a new Instagram account — follow the organization at the handle @UWAlamance — a blog and an increased mobile presence. People base their giving preferences based on a website, Thompson said, and the current United Way website is not up to par.

“We are not really a community or population that waits to get home, write a check and put it in the mail,” United Way President Heidi Norwick said.

A local marketing firm looked at how the United Way conducted its business, who its donors were, along with their demographics, and the organization determined to move toward more digital outreach to target different and, potentially, younger sectors of the community, Norwick said.

“Everyone is doing more at the moment,” she said. “We want to capture people while they are hearing our message. If they think about (donating), they can go to our new mobile site. If they are reading about it in the paper, they can click a link and do that instantaneously.”

Uploading photos to Instagram, a photo-based social media site, and the new blog will help show the United Way’s mission in action, Thompson said.

“It’s hard to share the story with words,” she said. “A picture says 1,000 words, and we have a million and a half words. So we are excited to share our pictures. We will also host a blog. We’ll be putting out news every day, every other day, (about) which companies are hosting kick offs, what agency is doing hard work and what success stories they have.”

The United Way has 32 local partner agencies that offer a total of 40 programs. The campaign, Norwick said, is a way of raising “local dollars for local solutions.”

“The best bang for your buck to help solve problems is to go through the United Way,” she said. “We vet every organization, we have transparency and accountability. This is the best bet for your money.”

United Way’s campaign officially begins Sept. 20 during a kick-off event, featuring the Sleeping Booty Band, at 213 S. Main St., Graham. Tickets are $35 in advance and $45 at the door.

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The United Way of Alamance County is revamping its digital outreach to target new donors and help spread its mission, goals and successes.

“At the very basic level, we are kicking off a new website,” said Barrett Thompson, United Way’s Director of Resource Development. “It is going to have a good look, fresh and a little bit more simplified.”

The redesigned website will launch Aug. 6 at www.uwalamance.org, and will feature new opportunities for campaign supporters and donors, she said.

“Any company hosting a campaign can now host it exclusively online,” Thompson said. “Meaning each company can have its own website, and we can set up a widget (an embeddable web tool) to set up their fundraising tool.”

The digital retooling also includes a new Instagram account — follow the organization at the handle @UWAlamance — a blog and an increased mobile presence. People base their giving preferences based on a website, Thompson said, and the current United Way website is not up to par.

“We are not really a community or population that waits to get home, write a check and put it in the mail,” United Way President Heidi Norwick said.

A local marketing firm looked at how the United Way conducted its business, who its donors were, along with their demographics, and the organization determined to move toward more digital outreach to target different and, potentially, younger sectors of the community, Norwick said.

“Everyone is doing more at the moment,” she said. “We want to capture people while they are hearing our message. If they think about (donating), they can go to our new mobile site. If they are reading about it in the paper, they can click a link and do that instantaneously.”

Uploading photos to Instagram, a photo-based social media site, and the new blog will help show the United Way’s mission in action, Thompson said.

“It’s hard to share the story with words,” she said. “A picture says 1,000 words, and we have a million and a half words. So we are excited to share our pictures. We will also host a blog. We’ll be putting out news every day, every other day, (about) which companies are hosting kick offs, what agency is doing hard work and what success stories they have.”

The United Way has 32 local partner agencies that offer a total of 40 programs. The campaign, Norwick said, is a way of raising “local dollars for local solutions.”

“The best bang for your buck to help solve problems is to go through the United Way,” she said. “We vet every organization, we have transparency and accountability. This is the best bet for your money.”

United Way’s campaign officially begins Sept. 20 during a kick-off event, featuring the Sleeping Booty Band, at 213 S. Main St., Graham. Tickets are $35 in advance and $45 at the door.